Switch mounting bracket for airplane control stick



May 22, 1956 T. J. OBSZARNY 2,747,057

SWITCH MOUNTING BRACKET FOR AIRPLANE CONTROL STICK Filed Sept. 27. 1954 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent O" SWITCH MOUNTING BRACKET FOR AIRPLANE CONTROL STICK Thedore J. Obszarny, Chicago, 111., assignor to Guardian Electric Manufacturing Co., Chicago, 1th, a corporation of Illinois Application September 27, 1954, Serial No. 458,387

' 9 Claims. (Cl. 200-157) This invention relates to a handgrip control member of the type having a plurality of switches for controlling separate electrical circuits and the switches having operating members formed and positioned for actuation by the fingers or thumb of an operator. Handgrip controls of this general character are adapted to a relatively wide field of use and are especially suitable for use in connection with a control stick or as part of a control wheel of an airplane. In such use the pilot may conveniently actuate the switches for controlling electrical circuits to actuate various devices or mechanisms without the necessity of the pilot removing his hand from the grip. Switches of the handgrip type, when used on airplanes, may be employed for controlling operation of the landing gear, landing lights, radio, radar and various other devices or mechanisms.

Currently, handgrips of the character above referred to include, along with various other control switches, a unitary, barrel-type, multiple position switch which atforcls certain important advantages and conveniences. Up to the present time, the matter of mounting and securing multiple position switches in the handgrip member has presented a serious problem. Such switches as heretofore mounted in handgrips are insecure and frequently become loose, permitting shifting of the switch rotatively as well as axially and thus presenting serious problems in the operation and control of various devices or mechanisms by the pilot of the airplane.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel construction for effecting a fixed and proper securement of a multiple position switch in-the hand grip member.

Another object is to provide a novel mounting bracket together with cooperating features on the body of the multiple position switch for positively locking the switch against rotative movement.

A further object is to provide a novel mounting bracket and cooperating features on the bodyof a multiple position switch and fastening element for fixedly securing the switch against axial movement in the handgrip.

Still another object is to provide a novel construction of the character indicated which is simple, effective, durable and capable of economical manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying drawing in-which:

. Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a handgrip for a control stick, with portions broken away, and showing the novel mounting construction, embodying the present invention, for a multiple position switch;

Figure 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the multiple position switch and mounting bracket, looking in the direction of the arrow, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawing;

Figure 3 is a view, part in section and part in top elevation, taken substantially as indicated on line 3-3 on Figure 2;

, 2,747,057 Patented May 22, 1956 Figure 4 is a front end view of the mounting bracket, taken substantially as indicated at line 44 on Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the novel mounting bracket embodying the present invention.

In the drawing, the control member, indicated generally at 10, is in the form of a handgrip adapted to be conveniently grasped by the hand of an operator or pilot of an airplane. The control member is adapted to be mounted on the upper end of a control stic of an airplane or on the ends of a control Wheel of an airplane. The control member 10 includes two spaced apart finger-operated switches 11 and 12, and a multiple position switch 14, adapted to be operated by the thumb of the operator or pilot. The multiple position switch 14 includes a cylindrical or barrel-type body 15 of molded electrically insulating material, having at its upper end a flanged collar 16. The multiple switch mechanism is totally enclosed within the body 15 and is adapted to be actuated by a movable button or head 17 which is of a somewhat modified conical form, having a multiplicity of circumferential ridges to provide a friction seat for the thumb of the operator in shifting said button in any one of a plurality of dilferent directions for actuating corresponding switches within the body 15. The body of the multiple position switch is mounted in a substantially circular opening 20, provided in the upper end of the control member 10, and which opening is in direct communication with a cavity 21 formed within the control member 10, for accommodating electrical wires from the various switches to a source of electrical energy and to devices or mechanisms to be actuated by the switches.

Extending laterally from the external wall of the body 15 of the multiple position switch, is an axially extending, elongated lug 23, positioned intermediate the length of the body, as clearly seen in Figure 2 of the drawing. Cooperating with said lug 23 is a novel mounting bracket 25, formed as a sheet metal stamping, and including a leg portion 26 adapted to be seated against and secured to a wall 27 of the cavity 21 of the control member, as seen in Figure 1 of the drawing, by a screw 28, threaded into an aperture 29 in said bracket, with the head screw recessed below the outer surface of the control member. The forward end of the leg 26 of said bracket terminates in a shelf portion 30, the forward edge of which is provided with an upstanding leg 31, formed with an upwardly open notch 32, dimensioned and arranged for snugly embracing the bottom and side walls of the lug 23 on the body of the multiple position switch, so as to limit inward axial movement of the multiple position switch within the opening 20 of the control member, and in addition, for precluding rotative movement of said multiple position switch in the said opening 20 of the control member. Formed as a continuation of the sides of the shelf portion 30 of the bracket, are a pair of laterally and downwardly extending arms 34, the forward ends of which are bent inwardly toward each other in the form of arms, as indicated at 35, and shaped arcuately to conform to the contour of the exterior of the cylindrical body 15 of the multiple position switch. When the multiple position switch is mounted in operative relation to the bracket 25, the arms 35 engage and serve to properly support that portion of the body of the switch which extends into the cavity 21 of the control member.

To preclude outward axial movement of the multiple position switch with respect to the control member, said control member is formed with a recess 38, below the opening 20, for accommodating a screw 40, which extends through the wall of the control member, and is threadedly engaged in an aperture 42, in the shelf portion 30, of

the mountingbracket, with the head of the screw engaging the upper end of the lug 2-3 on the body of the multiple position switch, as clearly seen in Figure l of the drawing.

By Virtue of the construction above described, the multiple position switch is firmly and rigidly secured in place "in the control member 10, and is precluded against both rotative and axial movement with respect to said control member.

Although I have herein shown and described a certain preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting this invention to the precise embodiment herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening provided in and adjacent the outer end of said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, a mounting bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a portion formed to conform to and seat against the arcaute wall of the switch body, said bracket being formed to provide a seat for said lug, and means engaging said lug for firmly securing said body to the mounting bracket.

2. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, and a mounting'bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a portion formed to conform to and seat against the arcuate wall of the switch body, and having a shoulder formed and positioned to be engaged 'by the lower end of said lug for limiting inward movement of the switch body in said opening.

3. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, a mounting bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a portion formed to conform to and seat against the arcuate wall of the switch body, and having a shoulder formed and positioned to be engaged by the lower end of said lug for limiting inward movement of the switch body in said opening, and a screw extending through said member and connected to said bracket and having its head positioned to engage the upper end of said lug for precluding axial movement of said switch with respect to said control member.

4. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, and a mounting bracketfixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having spaced apart portions formed to engage opposite sides of the lug to preclude rotative movement of the switch in the opening of said control member.

5. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, and a mounting bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a notched portion formed to embrace the bottom and opposite sides of the log for respectively limiting inward movement and precluding rotative movement of said switch body relative to said control member.

6. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, a mounting bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a notched portion formed to embrace the bottom and opposite sides of the lug for respectively limiting inward movement and'precluding'rotative movement of said switch body relative to said control member, and a screw extending through said member and threadedly connected to said bracket and having its headpositioned in seated engagement with the upper end of said lug for precluding outward axial movement of said switch body with respect to said control member.

7. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, a mounting bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a portion formed to conform to and seat against the arcuate wall of the switch body, said bracket having a notched portion formed to embrace the bottom and opposite sides of the lug for respectively limiting inward movement and precluding rotative movement of said switch body relative to said control member.

8. In combination, a control member in the form of a handgrip having a cavity therein, a multiple position switch having a cylindrical body mounted in an opening in said member, in open communication with said cavity, said body having a laterally extending lug, a mounting bracket fixedly secured within the cavity of the handgrip member and having a portion formed to conform to and seat against the arcuate wall of the switch body, said bracket having a notched portion formed to embrace the bottom and opposite sides of the lug for respectively limiting inward movement and precluding rotative movement of said switch body relative to said control member, and a screw extending through said member and threadedly connected to said bracket and having its head positioned in seated engagement with the upper end of said lug for precluding outward axial movement of said switch body with respect to said control member.

9. A unitary mounting bracket, including a leg portion for securement to a mounting, the forward end of said leg portion terminating in an upstanding leg provided with an upwardly open notch, and a pair of laterally and downwardly extending arms connected to the sides of said leg portion, the terminal portions of said arms extending inwardly toward each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,487,093 Bright Nov. 8, 1949 

